Watch: Gautam Gambhir Slams Kirti Azad Over Temple Visit Controversy
Gautam Gambhir responded to the criticism and said that such comments were not needed after such a big victory. He said questioning the team’s actions only takes attention away from their achievement.
March 11, 2026: India’s successful campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has been followed by a public debate. Former cricketer and politician Kirti Azad criticised the Indian team for visiting a temple after winning the trophy. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir strongly defended the team and said Azad’s comments were unfair to the players.
After winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, some members of the India national cricket team visited a temple with the trophy as part of their celebrations. Many people saw it as a personal act of faith and gratitude. However, Kirti Azad questioned whether it was appropriate. His comments started a debate on social media and in the cricket community, with some former players also sharing their views.
Gambhir Responds to the Criticism
Gautam Gambhir responded to the criticism and said that such comments were not needed after such a big victory. He said questioning the team’s actions only takes attention away from their achievement. Gambhir also said that speaking against the team in public can “degrade your own team,” especially after the players won a major global title for the country.
Smita : Kirti Azad asks why the Indian team visited only the Hanuman temple and not a mosque or a church.
— Saffron Chargers (@SaffronChargers) March 11, 2026
Gautam Gambhir : It’s not even worth answering this question. Anyone just gets up and starts making statements.
Gambhir gave proper belt treatment to Kirti Azad 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lrbsGOiezJ
India’s Big T20 World Cup Victory
The discussion started only a few days after India won the 2026 T20 World Cup final. The team defeated the New Zealand national cricket team to lift the trophy. The victory added another big achievement to India’s recent success in international cricket.
While fans across the country celebrated the win, the temple visit debate showed how sports moments can sometimes turn into political or social discussions. Even with the criticism, Gambhir and several former players said the players should focus on enjoying and celebrating their world title.